Recording medium, playback apparatus and recording/playback apparatus thereof

ABSTRACT

In order to search for an image recorded on an optical disk  10,  a registration trigger is generated automatically or in response to an instruction of the user from a microcomputer block  30,  a pointer indicating the recording position of a main image which is used as an index image in a preset area of the optical disk  10  via a data processor  36  and disk drive  32,  index image data which becomes the index image is created in an encoder section  50  and data is recorded from an index image buffer memory  59  into a user menu file on the optical disk  10  via a formatter  56,  data processor  36  and disk drive  32.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a recording medium, playback apparatusand recording/playback apparatus thereof and more particularly to arecordable/playable recording medium such as a DVD-RAM and arecording/playback apparatus which can be applied to arecording/playback DVD player for recording or playing back an image andvoice by use of the recording medium.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A playback-only optical disk having an image and voice recordedthereon is already put into practice as a music CD, laser disk, video CDor the like. MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group Phase 2) which is theinternational standard specification for compression of moving picturesand a DVD specification using the AC3 audio compression system aredefined and it is put into practice as a DVD video. The DVDspecification is initially designed by taking a playback-only disk or aROM disk which cannot be recorded by the user into consideration, butrecently, a DVD-RAM specification which can be played back and recordedby the user was made.

[0003] At present, the DVD-RAM specification is realized in a datarecording/playback apparatus for a computer, but as a matter of course,application to a DVD recording/playback apparatus for recording/playbacka moving picture and voice is studied. When application of the DVD-RAMspecification to the DVD recording/playback apparatus is considered, itis desirable to effect the searching operation in the same manner as inthe specification for DVD audio and DVD video based on the DVDspecification for playback only.

[0004] In the DVD video specification, VMG•VTS menus are provided fordisk title creating companies. The menus are created by use of anexclusive authoring instrument. Then, the recording content of the diskis displayed in the form of menu in addition to normal video data at thetime of playback and buttons are displayed by use of a sub-video imageso as to permit the user to select them, thereby making it possible tosearch for a desired portion.

[0005] On the other hand, when a moving picture is recorded by use ofthe DVD-RAM, the user creates a title, and if VMG•VTS menu data used inthe DVD video specification is used, the user also crates them. However,it is extremely difficult for the ordinary user to create the VMG•VTSmenu data when considering the large amount of data and devices whichmust be prepared to create the menu data and it is not practical.Further, in the case of recordable/playable DVD, the operation forre-recording main record data (video, voice data) is frequentlyeffected, but if the VMG•VTS menu data is used, the VMG•VTS menu datamust be rewritten each time the main record data is rewritten and theamount of operations for this purpose becomes extremely large.

[0006] As described above, when a moving picture and voice are recordedby use of the DVD-RAM, use of VMG-VTS menu data used in the DVD videospecification in which the main record data is not assumed to berewritten imposes an extremely heavy load on the user and it is notpractical.

[0007] This invention has been made to solve the above problem and anobject of this invention is to provided a recordable/playable recordingmedium and recording/playback apparatus capable of easily effecting thesearching and editing operations without making it necessary to createtroublesome menu data.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0008] A recording/playback apparatus according to this invention is arecording/playback apparatus for recording or playing back main recorddata containing information of at least one of an image and voice andcomprises trigger supplying means for supplying a trigger forregistering an index image; position information acquiring means foracquiring recording position information on the recording medium of animage which is now being recorded in response to a trigger supplied bythe trigger supplying means: and position recording means for recordingthe recording position information acquired by the position informationacquiring means on the recording medium at the time of termination ofthe image recording. As the recording position information, a sectornumber and cell number of an image which is now being recorded arecontained.

[0009] Further, a recording/playback apparatus according to thisinvention comprises creating means for creating index image data inresponse to a trigger supplied from the trigger supplying means; andindex image recording means for recording the recording positioninformation acquired by the position information acquiring means and theindex image data created by the creating means on the recording mediumat the time of termination of the image recording.

[0010] Further, a recording/playback apparatus according to thisinvention comprises time information acquiring means for acquiringdisplay time information of an image which is now being recorded inresponse to a trigger supplied from the trigger supplying means; andtime information recording means for recording the display timeinformation acquired by the time information acquiring means on therecording medium at the time of termination of the image recording. Therecorded image is processed in the unit of program and the timeinformation is the number of fields counted from the starting time ofthe program which is now to be defined.

[0011] Further, a recordable/playable recording medium according to thisinvention comprises an area for recording record position information ofan image selected in the main record data; and an index image recordingarea for recording image data of the selected image in the main recorddata as an index image.

[0012] According to this invention, recording position information of animage selected in the main record data is recorded on the recordingmedium and image data of the image selected in the main record data isalternatively or additionally recorded as an index image. By usinginformation of an image and voice recorded in a recording positionindicated by the position information or the index image (compressed orreduced image data) as a menu at the time of playback, the user canimmediately detect the recording information on the recording medium.

[0013] Therefore, it becomes possible for the user to quickly search fora desired portion based on the menu or efficiently effect the editingoperation such as erase or replacement of information of a desired areaon the recording medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view for illustrating arecordable/playable optical disk (DVD-RAM or DVD-RW disk) according tothis invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a diagram for illustrating the correspondence relationbetween the data recording area of the optical disk (DVD-RAM) of FIG. 1and data recording tracks recorded thereon;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a diagram for illustrating the directory structure ofinformation recorded on the optical disk of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of a video objectset shown in FIG. 3;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of a data pack shown inFIG. 4;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the data structure of controlinformation shown in FIG. 4;

[0020]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the contents of a playback managementtable shown in FIG. 6;

[0021]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the data structure of a PGCinformation table shown in FIG. 6;

[0022]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the schematic contents of cellplayback information shown in FIG. 8;

[0023]FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams for illustrating the concept of PGCshown in FIG. 8;

[0024]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the contents of PGC informationmanagement information shown in FIG. 8;

[0025]FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the contents of PGC generalinformation shown in FIG. 8;

[0026]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the contents of cell playbackinformation shown in FIG. 8;

[0027]FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the contents of PGC informationmanagement information shown in FIG. 8;

[0028]FIG. 15 is a block diagram for illustrating the construction of aDVD video recorder used as a recording/playback apparatus according toone embodiment of this invention;

[0029]FIG. 16 is a diagram showing one example of the registrationtiming of an index image;

[0030]FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the index image registeringprocedure in the pointer recording mode in the above embodiment;

[0031]FIG. 18 is a diagram for illustrating a registering point at thetime of index image registration in the pointer recording mode;

[0032]FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the index image registeringprocedure in the index image recording mode in the above embodiment;

[0033]FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram showing the user menu file formatin the above embodiment;

[0034]FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the user menu file format more indetail;

[0035]FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the user menu file format more indetail;

[0036]FIG. 23 is a diagram showing one example of display of the menuscreen in the above embodiment;

[0037]FIG. 24 is a diagram-showing a data format for controlling theimage in the unit of program;

[0038]FIG. 25 is a diagram showing another construction of the PGCinformation management table;

[0039]FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the construction of one program whichincludes a plurality of cells;

[0040]FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the procedure for registeringdisplay time on the optical disk;

[0041]FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the relation between VOBU and fieldin MPEG;

[0042]FIG. 29 is a diagram showing the construction of a time map table;and

[0043]FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the process for deriving a positionin which image data is recorded from the number of fields.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0044] There will now be described an embodiment of this invention withreference to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] As a typical embodiment of a recording/playback apparatusaccording to this invention, there is provided an apparatus, forexample, a DVD digital video recorder for recording/playing back amoving picture encoded based on MPEG2 at a variable bit rate.

[0046]FIG. 1 is a perspective view for illustrating the structure of arecordable optical disk 10 used for the DVD digital video recorder. Asshown in FIG. 1, the optical disk 10 has a structure obtained bylaminating together one pair of transparent base plats 14 each having arecording layer 17 by use of an adhesive layer 20. Each base plate 14can be formed of polycarbonate with a thickness of 0.6 mm and theadhesion layer 20 can be formed of extremely thin ultraviolet curingresin (for example, 40 μm thick). By laminating the pair of 0.6 mm baseplates together with the recording layers 17 disposed on the respectivesurfaces of the adhesive layer 20, the optical disk 10 of large capacitywith a 1.2 mm thickness can be obtained.

[0047] A central hole 22 is formed in the optical disk 10 and a clamparea 24 for clamping the optical disk 10 at the rotational driving timeis provided around the central hole 22 on each surface of the disk. Thespindle of a disk motor is inserted into the central hole 22 when theoptical disk 10 is loaded on a disk drive device (not shown). Theoptical disk 10 is clamped in the clamp area 24 during the rotation bymeans of a disk clamper (not shown).

[0048] The optical disk 10 has an information area 25 in which videodata, audio data and other information can be recorded around the clamparea 24. A lead-out area 26 is provided on the outer peripheral side ofthe information area 25 and a lead-in area 27 is provided on the innerperipheral side thereof in contact with the clamp area 24. A datarecording area 28 is defined between the lead-out area 26 and thelead-in area 27.

[0049] A recording track is continuously formed in a spiral form, forexample, on the recording layer 17 of the information area 25. Thecontinuous recording track is divided into a plurality of physicalsectors and consecutive numbers are attached to the sectors. The sectoris used as a recording unit to record various data on the optical disk10.

[0050] The data recording area 28 is an actual data recording area and,for example, video data (main video data) of a movie or the like,sub-video data such as caption, menu or the like, and audio data such asspeeches and sound effects are recorded in the form of phase changemarks as recording/playback information.

[0051] The optical disk 10 is a recording/playback RAM disk and therecording layer 17 is formed of a three-layered structure having a phasechange recording material layer formed of a Ge₂Sb₂Te₅ layer held betweentwo layers of zinc sulfide/silicon oxide mixture (ZnS/SiO₂), forexample. A continuous groove is formed in the base plate 14 having therecording/playback recording layer 17 and the phase change recordinglayer is formed on the groove. Generally, the phase change recordinglayer on the land portion other than the groove is also used forinformation recording.

[0052] A DVD digital video recorder which will be described later isconstructed to effect the repetitive recording operation, repetitiveplayback operation (read/write operation) for a DVD-RAM disk (or DVD-RWdisk) and the repetitive playback operation for a DVD-ROM disk.

[0053]FIG. 2 is a diagram for illustrating the correspondence relationbetween the data recording area 28 of the optical disk (DVD-RAM) 10 ofFIG. 1 and the recording track of data recorded thereon. If the disk 10is a DVD-RAM, the main body of the disk 10 is inserted into a cartridge11 to protect the delicate disk surface. When the DVD-RAM disk 10 isinserted together with the cartridge 11 into the disk drive of the DVDvideo recorder which will be described later, the disk 10 is extractedfrom the cartridge 11, clamped on the turn table of a spindle motor (notshown) and rotated and driven while it is set to face an optical head(not shown).

[0054] The data recording track is continuously formed in a spiral formon the recording layer 17 of the information area 25 shown in FIG. 1. Asshown in FIG. 2, the continuous track is divided into a plurality oflogical sectors (minimum recording unit) of constant recording capacityand data is recorded by using the logical sector as a reference. Therecording capacity of one logical sector is set to 2048 bytes (or 2kbytes) which is the same as one pack data length as will be describedlater.

[0055] The data recording area 28 is an actual data recording area andmanagement data, main video data, sub-video data and voice (audio) dataare similarly recorded.

[0056]FIG. 3 shows the hierarchical structure of data recorded on theoptical disk 10 used as an information recording medium on which videoinformation and music information shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be recordedand played back. The data recording area 28 formed on the optical disk10 has a data hierarchical structure as shown in FIG. 3. For example,the logical format of the structure is defined in conformity to theuniversal disk format (UDF) bridge and IS09660 which is a standardspecification.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3, the lead-in area 27 is formed on the innerperipheral side of the optical disk 10, the lead-out area 26 is formedon the outer peripheral side thereof, the data recording area 28 betweenthe lead-in area 27 and the lead-out area 26 is assigned as a volumespace 28, and the volume space 28 includes a space (volume/filemanagement area 70) for information of the volume and file structure anda space (DVD data area 72) for application of the DVD specification.

[0058] The lead-in area 27 includes a read-only emboss zone having anoptical reflection surface formed in an irregular form, a mirror zonehaving a flat mirror surface and a rewritable data zone in whichinformation can be rewritten. The lead-out area 26 includes a rewritabledata zone in which information can be rewritten.

[0059] Information associated with the entire portion of the informationrecording medium such as a physical sector number indicating therecording start/recording end position, recording density, disk size,disk type of the DVD-ROM (read-only DVD disk), DVD-RAM (DVD disk forrecording/playback) and DVD-R (additionally recording type DVD disk) isrecorded on the emboss data zone of the leak-in area 27, for example,and information associated with the recording/playback/erasecharacteristics such as the recording power and recording pulse widthrequired for recording data on the recording layer 17, erase powerrequired for erasing data recorded on the recording layer 17, playbackpower required for playing back data recorded on the recording layer 17,and linear velocity at the time of recording/erase is also recorded.Further, information associated with the manufacturing of eachinformation recording medium such as a manufacturer's serial number isrecorded on the emboss data zone of the leak-in area 27. In therewritable data zone of the lead-in area 27 and the rewritable data zoneof the lead-out area 26, a recording area for recording an inherent diskname of each information recording medium, a trial recording area fordetermining whether or not the recording and erase operations can beeffected in the recording/erase condition, and a management informationrecording area for determining whether or not a defective area ispresent in the data area 72 and recording an address of the area areprovided and a preparation process for permitting data to be recorded onthe data area 72 is effected in the above area and information necessaryfor data recording/erase/playback after this is recorded in the area.

[0060] The volume space 28 is physically divided into a large number ofsectors and consecutive numbers are attached to the physical sectors.The logical address of data recorded in the volume space (data recordingarea) 28 indicates a logical sector number as defined by the IS09660 andUDF bridge. Like the effective data size of the physical sector, thelogical sector size is set to 2048 bytes (2 kbytes) and consecutivenumbers are attached according to the ascending order of the physicalsector numbers as the logical sector numbers.

[0061] The volume space 28 has a hierarchical structure and includes avolume/file management area 70 and a data area 72 formed of at least onevideo object. The areas 70, 72 are divided on the boundary between thelogical sectors. One logical sector is defined to have 2048 bytes andone logical block is also defined to have 2048 bytes. Therefore, onelogical sector is defined to be the same as one logical block.

[0062] The volume/file management area 70 is a rewritable data zone inwhich data can be rewritten by the user and corresponds to a managementarea defined by the IS09660 and UDF bridge and information associatedwith the whole volume or a file of audio/video data is stored in asystem memory (not shown) in the DVD video recorder as will be describedlater based on the description of the area 70. Generally, thevolume/file management area 70 is constructed by one file.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 3, in the data area 72, an area in whichcomputer data and audio/video data can be recorded together is defined.The recording order of the computer data and audio/video data and therecording information size can be arbitrarily set, areas in which thecomputer data is recorded are referred to as computer data areas 74-1,74-2, and an area in which audio/video data is recorded is referred toas an audio/video data area 76.

[0064] The computer data areas 74-1, 74-2 are not particularlynecessarily provided from the viewpoint of its property if onlyaudio/video data is recorded in the recording area 72 and theaudio/video data area 76 is not particularly necessarily provided fromthe viewpoint of its property if only computer data is recorded in therecording area 72. The computer data areas 74-1, 74-2 and theaudio/video data area 76 can be formed of one file or a plurality offiles.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 3, in the audio/video data area 76, controlinformation 78 necessary when the processes such as image recording(sound recording), playback, edition and searching operations areeffected and a video object set 80 formed of one or a plurality ofobjects 82, 84, 86 as the reproduction object or the contents thereofare recorded. In the video object set 80, the video object 82 whosecontents are video data, the picture object 84 whose contents are astill picture such as a still/slide picture or picture data such as asearching or editing index image or a location of a desired portion ofvideo data, and the audio object 86 whose contents are audio data areprovided. As is clearly understood, the video object set 80 is notrequired to have all of the objects 82, 84, 86 and may be constructed byat least one of the objects 82, 84, 86. Likewise, the objects 82, 84, 86are each constructed by one or a plurality of files.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 4, in the video object set 80 constructed by oneor a plurality of objects 82, 84, 86, video data (video pack 88 whichwill be described later) compressed according to the MPEG2specification, audio data (audio pack 90 which will be described later)compressed according to the preset specification or non-compressed andsub-video data (sub-video pack 92 including bit map data in which onepixel is constructed by a plurality of bits as will be described later)compressed according to the run-length are stored.

[0067] If the video object set 80 is constructed only by the videoobject 82, it has a data structure as shown in FIG. 4, if the videoobject set 80 is constructed only by the picture object 84, it has adata structure constructed only by the sub-video pack 92 and/or thevideo pack 88 which does not include the audio pack 90, and if the videoobject set 80 is constructed only by the video object 86, it has a datastructure constructed only by the audio pack 90 which does not includethe sub-video pack 92 and video pack 88.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 4, logically, the video object set 80, that is,the video, picture and audio objects 82, 84, 86 are constructed by aplurality of cells 94 and each cell 94 is constructed by at least onevideo object unit (VOBU) 96.

[0069] In the cell 94, the video object unit (VOBU) 96 is decoded andplayed back in the arrangement order in the cell 94 as a rule. The videoobject unit 96 is a set (pack string) of the video pack (V pack) 88,audio pack (A pack) 90 and sub-video pack (SP pack) 92 and defined asdata played back in a preset period, for example, in a period of 0.5 to1.2 seconds. Each pack is a minimum unit used for effecting the datatransfer process and the cell is logically the minimum unit used foreffecting the data process.

[0070] Identification numbers (IDN#k; k=0 to k) are attached to thevideo object units (VOBU) 96 and the video object unit 96 can bespecified by the identification number. The playback period of the videoobject unit (VOBU) 96 normally corresponds to a playback period of videodata constructed by at least one video group (group of pictures; GOP)contained in the video object unit 96. Generally, the length of one GOPis approx. 0.5 second in terms of the MPEG2 specification and image datacompressed to play back the frame images of approx. 15 sheets during theabove period is stored.

[0071] If the video object unit (VOBU) 96 includes video data, GOPs (inconformity to the MPEG specification) including the video pack 88,sub-video pack 90 and audio pack 92 are arranged to construct a videodata stream. If playback data is formed of only the audio and/orsub-video data, the playback data is constructed with the video objectunit (VOBU) 96 used as one unit. For example, the audio pack 90 to beplayed back in a playback period of the video object unit (VOBU) 96 towhich target audio data belongs is stored in the video object unit(VOBU) 96.

[0072] Identification numbers (IDN#i; i=0 to i) are attached to thevideo objects 82, 84, 86 constructing the video object set 80 and thevideo objects 82, 84, 86 can be specified according to theidentification number. Further, identification numbers (C_IDN#j) areattached to the cells 94 like the case of the video objects 82, 84, 86.

[0073]FIG. 5 shows the general structure of the video pack 88, sub-videopack 92 and audio pack 90. Like the logical sector of FIG. 2, the packsare each constructed by data of 2048 byte unit. As shown in FIG. 5, thevideo, audio and sub-video packs 88, 90, 92 are each constructed by apack header 98 and a packet 100. The packet 100 includes a packet headerin which a decode time stamp (DTS) and presentation time stamp (PTS) arerecorded.

[0074] The control information 78 shown in FIG. 3 includes playbackcontrol information 102 indicating control information necessary at thetime of playback, recording control information 104 indicating controlinformation necessary at the time of recording (image recording or soundrecording), edition control information 106 indicating controlinformation necessary at the time of edition and index image controlinformation 108 indicating management information associated with asearching or editing index image of a desired position of video data.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 6, the playback control information 102 shown inFIG. 3 includes a management information table (PLY_MAT) 112, programchain (PGC) information table (PGCIT) 110 and time map table 111.Information as shown in FIG. 7 is described in the managementinformation table (PLY_MAT) 112 and the program chain (PGC) informationtable 110 has a data structure as shown in FIG. 8.

[0076] In the program chain (PGC) information table 110, informationassociated with the playback order of cells and the program chain (PGC)is mainly described and data of the cell 94 recorded in the video object82 (that is, movie data used as real data constructed by the videoobject unit 96) is played back according to the description of theprogram chain (PGC) information table 110. As shown in FIG. 8, theprogram chain (PGC) information table 110 is constructed by index sceneinformation 120, PGC information management information 122, searchpointers #1 to #n 124 for searching each PGC information and PGCinformation #1 to #n 126. In the index scene information 120, cellnumbers of scenes (index scenes) used as index images are described.

[0077] If the PGC number is determined, PGC information corresponding tothe PGC number is obtained by referring to the search pointer 124. Theplayback order of cells is derived from the PGC information, data of thecells 94 as real data is acquired from the video object 82 according tothe playback order of cells and video data is played back. In this case,the video object 82 is explained, but cell data is derived as real dataand played back according to the description of the program chain (PGC)information table 110 in the same manner as in the case of the pictureobject 84 and audio object 86.

[0078] In this case, the PGC corresponds to the chapter of the moviestory and indicates a unit in which a series of playback operations forspecifying the playback order of cells is effected. In other words, ifone PGC corresponds to one drama, it is possible to consider that aplurality of cells 94 constructing the PGC correspond to various scenesin the drama. The contents of the PGC (or the contents of the cells) maybe determined by a software provider making the contents recorded on thedisk 10, for example. More specifically, if a video data stream as shownin FIG. 10A is present, the contents thereof are divided into videoobject units 96 which are played back in a preset period of time and aset of video object units 96 which are continuous in principle aredefined in the cell 94.

[0079] Since the video object unit 96 is continuous in principle, thecell 94 is defined by the first video object unit 96 and the last videoobject unit 96 constructing the cell 94 in the PGC information table 110as will be described later, more specifically, in the cell playbackinformation 130 shown in FIG. 8. That is, information in a playbacksegment specified by a start address 134 and end address 136 of playbackdata constructing the cell as shown in FIG. 9 is described in the cellplayback information 130.

[0080] If the cell 94 is thus defined, the PGC is constructed bydetermining the playback order of the cell. For example, as shown inFIG. 10B, the PGC #1 is defined by arranging the three cells 94 in thecell playback information table so as to play back the cells in theorder of cell-A, cell-B, cell-C. Likewise, the PGC #2 is defined byarranging the three cells 94 in the cell playback information table soas to play back the cells in the order of cell-D, cell-E, cell-F.Further, the PGC #3 is defined by arranging the five cells 94 in thecell playback information table so as to play back the cells in theorder of cell-Q, cell-R, cell-S, cell-T, cell-U.

[0081] The PGC #2 corresponding to a chapter which continues from thePGC #1 corresponding to a previous chapter is played back by linking thePGC #1 and PGC #2 together. In other words, the cells are successivelyplayed back in the order of cell-A to cell-F. In the PGC, the cells 94are played back in the arrangement order thereof, but the constructionof the PGC and the playback order of the PGC are arbitrarily set.Therefore, for example, a PGC can be defined by use of the cellsconstructing another PGC. Further, since the way of linking or linkinformation can be arbitrarily determined, various stories can be formedor edited. For example, it is possible to link the PGC #3 following thePGC #1 or add the same cell, for example, the cell G, to the PGC #1 andPGC #2 to make different chapters. That is, a desired story can berealized by linking the PGC #3 to the PGC #1 or PGC #2 according to theselection by the user.

[0082] In the playback management table 112 shown in FIG. 7, anidentifier ID indicating playback control information is described, astart address (VOBS_SA) and end address (VOBS_EA) of the video objectset 80 are described and an end address (CTLI EA) of control information(CTLI) 78 and an end address (PLYI_EA) of playback control information(PLYI) 102 are described. Further, in the playback management table 112,attribute (CAT) indicating that the management information attributes tothe format of the recording/playback DVD is described to indicateattribute of video data in the video object set recorded in theaudio/video data area 76, for example, the attribute of NTSC system orwide-television system. Further, in the playback management table 112,the number (AST_Ns) of audio streams in the video object set and a table(AST_ATR) in which the attribute thereof, for example, the compressionsystem or the like is described are described and the number (SPST_Ns)of sub-video streams in the video object set and a table (SPST_ATR) inwhich the attribute thereof is described are described. If the userrecords searching index image data and menu image data as an independentuser menu file in the audio video data area 76,—a flag (01) indicatingthat the user menu is present or a flag (00) indicating no user menu ifthe menu is not present is described. If the index image is recorded inthe audio video data area 76, the number of a PGC which is used as thebasis of a typical index image is described. Further, a flag (0: not yetplayed back, 1: already played back) indicating whether the playbackoperation by the user for the video object set controlled by the controlinformation 78 is terminated or not is described.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 11, in PGC information management information(PGC_MAI) 122 shown in FIG. 8, information indicating the total numberof PGCs is contained and information pointing the head portion of eachPGC information is contained as described before in the search pointer124 of PGC information to make it easy to search for the PGC. PGCinformation 126 is constructed by PGC general information 128 shown inFIG. 8 and at least one cell playback information 130 shown in FIG. 8.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 11, in the PGC information managementinformation (PGC_MAI) 122, the end address (PGC_TABLE_EA) of the PGCinformation table 110, the end address (PGC_MAI_EA) of the PGCinformation management information (PGC_MAI) 122, the start address(PGC_SRP_SA) and end address (PGC_SRP_EA) of the PGC information searchpointer (PGC_SRP) 124, the start address (PGCI_SA) and end-address(PGCI_EA) of all of the PGC information items (PGCI) 126 and the number(PGC_Ns) of all of the PGCs are described.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 12, in the PGC general information (PGC_GI) 128,information indicating the number of cells and the playback time of thePGC is described. That is, in the PGC general information (PGC_GI) 128,the contents (PGC_CNT) of the PGC in which the number of cells and thenumber of PGCS are described, the playback time (PGC PB TM) of the PGC,a table (PGC_AST_CTL) in which information for controlling the audiostream contained in the PGC is described, and a table (PGC SPST_CTL) inwhich information for controlling the sub-video stream contained in thePGC is described are described.

[0086] Further, in the PGC general information (PGC_GI) 128, PGCnavigation control (PGC_NV_CTL) in which link information associatedwith the PGC to be linked with the PGC, for example, a preceding PGC,next PGC or a skipped (GOup) PGC is described, a sub-video pallet table(PGC_SP_PLT) in which reproduction information associated with color ofsub-video pallet is described and the start address (PGC_PGMAP_SA) of aprogram table (not shown) in which a list of programs constructing thePGC is described are described. Further, in the table (PGC_GI), thestart address (CELL_PLY_I_SA) of cell playback information (CELL_PLY_I)120, a flag (01: menu data is present, 00:—menu data is not present)indicating whether menu data associated with the PGC and formed by theuser is present or not, reservation, a flag (0: not yet played back, 0:already played back) indicating whether the playback operation for thePGC by the user is completed or not and a flag (ARCHIVE Flag) indicatingwhether or not it is desired to hold the PGC after this, that is, a flag(0: free [erasable], 1: permanent storage) indicating whether or not itis desired to permanently store the PGC are described.

[0087] In the index scene information 120 shown in FIG. 8, the cellnumber N of a scene registered as an index image in the pointerrecording mode which will be described later is described.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 9, the cell playback information (CELL_PLY_I)130 shown in FIG. 8 is roughly divided into cell general information 132and index scene pointer information 134.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 13, in the cell general information 132, thecategory (C_CAT) of a cell, for example, information indicating whetheror not the cell belongs to a block and whether or not the block is anangle block if it belongs to the block is described. In this case, theangle block indicates a block whose angle can be switched. The angleswitching indicates that an angle (camera angle) at which an objectimage is viewed is changed. More specifically, in a musical performancescene (in the-same event) of the same music in a rock concert video, forexample, it indicates that various scenes such as a scene obtained byviewing the vocalist as a main object, a scene obtained by viewing theguitarist as a main object and a scene obtained by viewing the drummeras a main object can be observed at different angles. As the casewherein the angle switching (or angle changing) is made, a case whereinthe angle can be selected according to the preference of the audience ora case wherein the same scene is automatically repeated in thedevelopment of the story while changing the angle (a case wherein thesoftware creator/provider makes the story to attain the above effect ora case wherein the user of the DVD video recorder edits the story toattain the above effect) is provided.

[0090] Further, as shown in FIG. 13, in the cell general information132, cell playback time (absolute time) in the PGC is described and aflag (0: not yet played back, 1: already played back) indicating whetheror not the playback operation of the cell by the user is terminated anda flag (ARCHIVE Flag) indicating whether or not it is desired to holdthe cell after this, that is, a flag (0: free [erasable], 1: permanentstorage) indicating whether or not it is desired to permanently storethe cell are described.

[0091] Further, as shown in FIG. 13, in the cell general information132, a cell start address (CELL_SA) and end address (CELL_EA) aredescribed. The cell start address and end address are described by useof relative addresses of the first and last video object units (VOBU) ofthe cell from the head of the video object set 80. Further, in the cellgeneral information 132, the end address (CELL_PLY_I_EA) of the cellplayback information (CELL PLY_I) 130 is also described. The end addressof the cell playback information is provided since the length of theindex scene pointer information 134 is not constant although the lengthof the cell general information is constant.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 13, in the index scene pointer information 134,a physical sector number (which is referred to as an index scene pointeraddress (INDEX_PT)) of PGC information containing the cell number of anindex scene (which is a scene used as an index image) recorded in theindex scene information 120 is described. In FIG. 13, M index scenepointer addresses are provided and M is a variable number.

[0093] Therefore, at the time of searching for an image recorded on theoptical disk 10, an index image can be searched for by reading the cellnumber of a cell containing the index scene from the index sceneinformation 120 in the PGC information table 110 shown in FIG. 8 andsearching the PGC information 126 containing the cell number to read theindex scene pointer information 134 on the cell playback information 130in the PGC general information 128 of the PGC information 126.

[0094] The procedure for registering the cell number into the indexscene information 120 and registering the index scene pointerinformation 134 is described later in detail.

[0095] The recording control information 104 shown in FIGS. 3 and 6contains a recording management table 114 shown in FIG. 14 and the endaddress (RECI_EA) of the recording control information 104 and the endaddress (REC_MAT_EA) of the recording management table 114 are describedin the recording management table 114 and a free area (FREE_SPACE) forwriting information associated with the recording management isprovided. Further, in the recording management table 114, a flag(ARCHIVE Flag) indicating whether or not it is desired to hold the VOBUor a flag (0: free [erasable], 1 permanent storage) indicating whetheror not it is desired to permanently hold the VOBU is described.

[0096] The reduced drawing control information 108 shown in FIG. 3includes a first anchor pointer 108-A, picture address table 108-B and asecond anchor pointer 108-C, and the picture address table 108-Bincludes menu index information INFO1, index picture information INF02,information picture information INF03, defective area information INF04and wall paper picture information INF05.

[0097]FIG. 15 shows the construction of a device (DVD video recorder)used for recording/playing back digital moving image information at avariable recording rate with respect to the disk of FIG. 1 by use ofinformation with the construction explained with reference to FIGS. 3 to14.

[0098] The device main body of the DVD video recorder rotates and drivesthe optical disk 10 which is a DVD-RAM or DVD-R disk, for example, andis constructed by a disk drive section (disk drive 32, temporary storagesection 34, data processor 36, system time counter 38 and the like) forreading/writing information with respect to the optical disk 10, anencoder section 50 constructing the recording section, a decoder section60 constructing the playback section, and a microcomputer block 30 forcontrolling the operation of the device main body.

[0099] The encoder section 50 includes an ADC (analog-digital converter)52, video encoder (V encoder) 53, audio encoder (A encoder) 54,sub-video encoder (SP encoder) 55, formatter 56, buffer 57, index imagecreating section 58 and index image buffer memory 59.

[0100] The ADC 52 is supplied with an external analog video signal andexternal analog audio signal from the AV input section 42, or an analogTV signal and analog voice signal from the TV tuner 44. The ADC 52converts an input analog video signal into a digital form with asampling frequency 13.5 MHz and quantization bit number of 8 bits, forexample. That is, a luminance component Y, color difference component Cr(or Y—R) and color difference component Cb (or Y—B) are quantized by useof 8 bits. Further, the ADC 52 converts an input analog audio signalinto a digital form with a sampling frequency 48 kHz and quantizationbit number of 16 bits, for example.

[0101] When an analog video signal and digital audio signal are input tothe ADC 52, the ADC 52 passes the digital audio signal therethrough asit is. At this time, a process for reducing the jitter attached to thedigital signal or a process for changing the sampling rate orquantization bit number may be effected without changing the contents ofthe digital audio signal. Further, when a digital video signal anddigital audio signal are input to the ADC 52, the ADC 52 passes thedigital video signal and digital audio signal therethrough as they are.The jitter reducing process or sampling rate changing process may beeffected without changing the contents of the digital signals.

[0102] The digital video signal component from the ADC 52 is supplied tothe formatter 56 via the video encoder (v encoder) 53. The digital audiosignal component from the ADC 52 is supplied to the formatter 56 via theaudio encoder (A encoder) 54.

[0103] The v encoder 53 has function of converting the input digitalvideo signal into a compressed digital signal at a variable bit ratebased on the MPEG2 or MPEG1 specification.

[0104] The A encoder 54 has a function of converting the input digitalaudio signal into a digital signal (or digital signal of linear PCM)compressed at a fixed bit rate based on the MPEG audio or AC-3specification.

[0105] When a DVD video signal with data construction shown in FIGS. 4and 5 or a signal from the DVD video player with independent outputterminal for the sub-video signal is input from the AV input section 42or when the DVD video signal with the above data construction isbroadcasted and received by the TV tuner 44, the sub-video signalcomponent (sub-video pack) in the DVD video signal is input to thesub-video encoder (SP encoder) 55. The sub-video data input to the SPencoder 55 is converted into a preset signal configuration and thensupplied to the formatter 56.

[0106] The formatter 56 performs the preset signal processing for theinput video signal, audio signal, sub-video signal and the like whileusing the buffer memory 57 as a work area and outputs record data whichcoincides with the above format (file structure) to the data processor36.

[0107] Now, the standard encode processing contents for creating theabove record data is simply explained. If the encode process is startedin the encoder section 50 of FIG. 15, parameters necessary for encodingvideo (main video) data and audio data are set. Next, the main videodata is pre-encoded by use of the set parameters and a distribution codeamount suitable for the set average transfer rate (recording rate) isderived. The main video data is encoded based on the distribution codeamount obtained by the pre-encoding operation. At this time, theencoding operation for the audio data is simultaneously effected.

[0108] In a case where the data compression amount is insufficient, forexample, in a case where a desired program cannot be stored into theDVD-RAM disk or DVD-R disk to be used for recording as the result ofpre-encoding, the partial encoding operation for the main video data iseffected again and the main video data which is encoded again issubstituted for a main video data portion previously pre-encoded if achance for pre-encoding the main video data again can be obtained, thatis, if the recording source is a repetitive playable source such as avideo tape or video disk, for example. The main video data and audiodata are encoded by a sequence of processes and the value of an averagebit rate necessary for recording is significantly reduced. Likewise, aparameter necessary for encoding the sub-video data is set and theencoded sub-video data is formed.

[0109] The main video data, audio data and sub-video data thus encodedare combined and converted into a structure of video object.

[0110] That is, a cell used as a minimum unit of the main video data(video data) is set and playback information (C_PLY_I) as shown in FIG.13 is created. Next, the construction of the cell constructing theprogram chain (PGC) and the main video, sub-video and audio attributesare set (as part of the attributes, information obtained whencorresponding data is encoded is used) and the playback controlinformation 102 including various information items explained withreference to FIGS. 3 and 6 is created.

[0111] The encoded main video data, audio data and sub-video data arefinely divided into packs with a preset size (2048 bits) as shown inFIG. 5. In the packs, time stamps such as a PTS (presentation timestamp) and DTS (decode time stamp) are adequately described. As the PTSof the sub-video, time delayed by a given amount with respect to the PTSof the main video data or audio data of the same playback time range canbe described.

[0112] The pakcs are set into the VOBU 96 as data played back in apreset period of time so as to be played back in the time stamp order ofthe packs and each data cell is defined while arranging the VOBUs 96 anda VOB. 82 constructed by a plurality of cells is formed. The VOBS 80obtained by combining at least one VOB is formatted into a structureshown in FIG. 4.

[0113] The disk drive section for effecting the informationreading/writing (image recording and/or playback) with respect to theDVD disk 10 includes a disk changer section (not shown), disk drive 32,temporary storage section 34, data processor 36, and system time counter(or system time clock; STC) 38.

[0114] The temporary storage section 34 buffers a preset amount of dataamong data (data output from the encoder section 50) written into thedisk 10 via the disk drive 32 or buffers a preset amount of data amongdata (data input to the decoder section 60) played back from the disk 10via the disk drive 32.

[0115] For example, if the temporary storage section 34 is constructedby a 4-Mbyte semiconductor memory (DRAM), the buffering of playback dataor record data of approx. 8 seconds at the average recording rate of 4Mbps can be attained. Further, if the temporary storage section 34 isconstructed by a 16-Mbyte EEPROM (flash memory), the buffering ofplayback data or record data of approx. 30 seconds at the averagerecording rate of 4 Mbps can be attained. Also, if the temporary storagesection 34 is constructed by a 100-Mbyte micro HDD (hard disk), thebuffering of playback data or record data of more than 3 minutes at theaverage recording rate of 4 Mbps can be attained.

[0116] The temporary storage section 34 can be used to temporarily storerecording information until the disk 10 is replaced by a new disk whenthe disk 10 is used up in the course of recording. Further, when ahigh-speed drive (higher than twice the original speed) is used as thedisk drive 32, the temporary storage section 34 can be used totemporarily store data which is excessively read out in comparison withthe case of normal drive in a preset period of time. If readout data atthe time of playback is buffered in the temporary storage section 34, aplayback image can be prevented from being interrupted by substitutingplayback data buffered in the temporary storage section 34 even when anoptical pickup (not shown) causes a readout error due to vibration shockor the like.

[0117] The data processor 36 of FIG. 15 supplies DVD record data fromthe encoder section 50 to the disk drive 32, extracts a DVD playbacksignal played back from the disk 10 from the drive 32, rewritesmanagement information recorded on the disk 10, or deletes data (file orVTS) recorded on the disk 10 according to the control of themicrocomputer block 30.

[0118] The microcomputer block 30 includes an MPU (or CPU), a ROM inwhich control programs are stored and a RAM which provides a work areanecessary for execution of the program.

[0119] The contents to be notified to the user of the DVD video recorderamong the results of execution by the MPU 30 are displayed on thedisplay section 48 of the DVD video recorder or displayed on a monitordisplay in an on-screen display (OSD) manner.

[0120] The timings at which the MPU 30 controls the disk changersection, disk drive 32, data processor 36, encoder section 50 and/ordecoder section 60 can be set based on time data from the STC 38. Therecording/playback operation is normally effected in synchronism withthe time clock from the STC 38 and the other process may be effected ata timing independent from the STC 38.

[0121] The data section 60 includes a separator 62 for separating andextracting each pack from the DVD playback data having the packconstruction as shown in FIG. 5, a memory 63 used at the time of packseparation or execution of the other signal processing, a video decoder(V decoder) 64 for decoding main video data separated by the separator62, a sub-video decoder (SP decoder) 65 for decoding sub-video data(sub-video pack 90) separated by the separator 62, an audio decoder (Adecoder) 68 for decoding audio data (audio pack 91 of FIG. 9) separatedby the separator 62, a video processor 66 for adequately combining thesub-video data from the SP decoder 65 with the video data from the Vdecoder 64, superposing the menu, highlight button, caption and othersub-video image on the main video image and outputting the result ofsuperposition, a video digital/analog converter (V•DAC) 67 forconverting a digital video output from the video processor 66 to ananalog video signal, and an audio digital/analog converter (A•DAC) 67for converting a digital audio output from the audio processor 68 to ananalog audio signal.

[0122] The analog video signal from the V•DAC 67 and the analog audiosignal from the A•DAC 67 are supplied to external components (not shown)(2-channel to 6-channel multi-channel stereo device+monitor TV orprojector) via an AV output section 46.

[0123] Next, the basic data processing operations, that is, therecording process and playback process of the DVD video recorderaccording to this embodiment are explained.

[0124] At the time of data processing for recording, if the user firsteffects the key-in operation and the MPU of the microcomputer block 30receives a recording instruction, necessary management data is read outfrom the DVD disk 10 via the disk drive 32 to determine an area in whichvideo data is recorded. Then, the thus determined area is set in themanagement area and the recording start address of video data is set onthe disk drive 32.

[0125] In this case, the management area specifies the file managementsection 70 (specifies the directory decode in IS09660) for managing thefiles and control information 78 and parameters necessary for the filemanagement section are sequentially recorded.

[0126] Next, the microcomputer block 30 resets time of the STC section38. In this example, the STC 38 is a timer of the system and therecording/playback operation is effected with the time thereof used as areference. After this, the microcomputer block 30 sets the contents ofother sections.

[0127] The flow of a video signal is as follows. That is, an AV signalinput from the TV tuner section 44 or external input section is A/Dconverted by the ADC 52 and the video signal and audio signal arerespectively supplied to the video encoder 53 and audio encoder 54, andthe closed caption signal from the TV tuner 44 or the text signal oftext broadcasting is supplied to the SP encoder 55.

[0128] The encoders 53, 54, 55 compress the respective input signals tomake packets (in this case, each packet is made such that each pack has2048 bytes when each packet is formed into packs) and the packets areinput to the formatter section 56. In this case, the encoders 53, 54, 55determine and record PTS, DTS of each packet according to the value ofthe STC 38 as required.

[0129] The formatter 56 temporarily holds packet data to the buffermemory 57, and then sets each input packet data into packs, mixes thepacks for each GOP and supplies the result of mixing to the dataprocessor 36.

[0130] The data processor 36 deals with every 16 packs as an ECC (errorcorrection code) block and supplies the same to the disk drive 32 afterattaching the ECC thereto. However, if the disk drive 32 does not makeready for recording on the disk 10, data is transferred to the temporarystorage section 34, the standby state is kept until the preparation forrecording data is set up, and data recording is started when thepreparation is set up. In this case, it is assumed that the temporarystorage section 34 is formed of a large-capacity memory since it holdsrecord data of several minutes or more by high-speed access.

[0131] At the time of termination of the recording operation,information necessary for the volume & file management area 70 and theplayback control information 102 of the control information are recordedand the recording operation is terminated. In this case, themicrocomputer block 30 can effect the read/write operation with respectto the data processor 36 via a microcomputer bus to read/write thevolume & file management area 70 of the file.

[0132] In the data processing at the time of playback operation, theuser first effects the key-in operation and the microcomputer block 30receives a playback instruction and the volume & file management area 70is read out via the data processor 36 by use of the disk drive 32 todetermine the address to be played back. In this case, the volume & filemanagement area 70 indicates the volume descriptor and file managementsection. That is, whether the optical disk 10 is a DVD disk or not isdetermined by use of the volume descriptor and the control information78 is read out by use of address information of the file managementsection to determine the playback start address in the video object 82,84 or 86 corresponding to the title played back by the controlinformation 78.

[0133] Next, the microcomputer block 30 supplies a read instruction andaddress of previously determined data to be played back to the diskdrive 32. The disk drive 32 reads out sector data from the disk 10according to the supplied instruction, corrects the error in the dataprocessor 36, and outputs the data in a pack data form to the decodersection 60.

[0134] In the decoder section 60, the separator 62 receives the readoutpack data, forms the data into a packet form, transfers the video packetdata (MPEG video data) to the video decoder 64, transfers the audiopacket data to the audio decoder 68, and transfers the sub-video packetdata to the SP decoder 65.

[0135] After this, the decoders 64, 65, 68 effect the playback processesin synchronism with the values of the PTS (presentation time stamp) ofthe respective packet data items (output packet data decoded at thetiming at which the values of the PTS and STC 38 coincide with eachother) and can supply a moving picture with voice caption to the TV.

[0136] Next, the feature of this invention of the registration procedureof index scene to the optical disk 10 is explained by taking a casewherein an index image is most frequently used as the index scene as anexample.

[0137] The index image is an image used for searching or editing therecording contents of the optical disk 10. As the method for registeringthe index image in this embodiment, two methods are provided whichinclude a method (which is called a pointer recording mode) forrecording position information (pointer) indicating the recordingposition of the index image in the main record data (video data) on theoptical disk 10 and a method (which is called an index image recordingmode) for recording index image data created from the input video databy the index image creating section 58 on the optical disk 10.

[0138] According to the pointer recording mode, the index image can beexpressed by use of a pointer to the main image without particularly andactually creating an index image. Therefore, since the index image isnot actually provided, an advantage that the disk capacity used isreduced accordingly can be attained. However, since the index image isdisplayed while it is created on the decoder side at the time of menudisplay, the disk searching operation is frequently effected and ittakes a bit long time to display the user menu in comparison with theindex image recording mode.

[0139] For registration of the index image, the above two modes may beselectively used by the specification of the user or both of therecording modes may be combined. in this embodiment, a case wherein bothrecording modes are combined is explained.

[0140] For registration of the index image, the device automaticallydetects the recording start/termination, for example, as shown in FIG.16, images 1, 2 of a cell-1 can be registered at the recording starttime of the cell-1 or an image 5 of the last frame of a cell-3 can beregistered at the recording termination time. Further, the user canregister the image by manually effecting the key-in operation or thelike while the user monitors the image which is now being recorded onthe display screen. In this case, as shown by images 3, 4 in FIG. 16, aplurality of desired images in the cell-2 generated during the recordingoperation can be registered.

[0141] First, the index image registration procedure in the pointerrecording mode is explained by use of the flowchart shown in FIG. 17.

[0142] If the user issues a registration instruction of the index imagevia a key-in section 49, the MPU in the microcomputer block 30determines that the registration trigger is present as shown in the stepSl01, issues a registration trigger to the encoder section 50, receivesa GOP creation start signal from the video encoder 53, and detects thestart of the I picture creation operation which will be described later(step S102). The I picture is used as an index image and the I picturerecording position becomes a registration point.

[0143] The registration trigger from the MPU may be generated, forexample, once each time the user inputs a registration instruction orthe MPU may automatically generate the registration trigger at the timeof recording start/termination with respect to the optical disk 10 or atthe time of change of scenes of video or audio. It is preferable thatthe user can specify the above selection via the key-in section 49.

[0144] Next, the MPU in the microcomputer block 30 detects the physicalsector number M (head sector address of the I picture) which is nowbeing recorded on the optical disk 10 via the disk drive 32 and dataprocessor 36 and stores the same in the RAM (step S103), further detectsthe cell number N of a cell which is to be defined (that is, whichincludes the I picture as the index image) and stores the same in theRAM (step S104).

[0145] Then, the MPU in the microcomputer block 30 determines whetherthe recording operation is terminated or not according to theinstruction from the key-in section 49 or via the disk drive 32 and dataprocessor 36 (step S105). If the recording operation is not terminated,the process is returned and the step S101 is effected again after theelapse of preset time. If it is detected in the steep S105 that therecording operation is terminated, the cell number N stored in the stepS104 is registered in the index scene information 120 of the PGCinformation table 110 shown in FIG. 8 on the optical disk 10 (stepS106).

[0146] Next, the MPU in the microcomputer block 30 searches the PGCinformation table 110 shown in FIG. 8 and determines the number (PGCinformation #X) of PGC information containing the cell number Ndescribed in the index scene information 120 (step S107).

[0147] Then, the MPU in the microcomputer block 30 records the physicalsector number M stored in the RAM in the step S103 on the optical disk10 (step S108). For example, if the PGC information searched for in thestep S107 is #1, the physical sector number M is recorded in the columnof the index scene pointer address of the index scene pointerinformation 134 (FIG. 13) of the cell playback information 130 in whichthe PGC information is #1.

[0148] Basically, video data which is now being recorded on the opticaldisk 10 is continuous on the time base if the recording thereof is notinterrupted and the continuous portion can be grouped into the same typefrom the viewpoint of the contents thereof. The grouping is effected inthe unit of cell as described before. If the actual recording operationis considered, one cell is generated by the recording start andrecording termination operations. Therefore, as the position informationof the index image, one physical sector number M of the typical Ipicture of a desired cell may be registered.

[0149] In the DVD specification, MPEG2 is used for vide encoding. In theMPEG2 (also, in the MPEG1), the encoding operation is effected in acycle called GOP as shown in FIG. 18. An intra-coding image screen (Ipicture) and an inter-coding image screen (P picture, B picture) arecontained in each GOP, but since the former is an image screen in whichthe coding is effected only in the image screen thereof and the latteris an image screen obtained by predicting the other image screen as areference image screen, the latter cannot be used as an index image.Therefore, in the pointer recording mode of FIG. 17, the I picture isused as the index image and the position information thereof is set asthe registration point as shown in FIG. 18.

[0150] Next, the index image registration procedure by the index imagerecording mode is explained by use of the flowchart shown in FIG. 19.

[0151] Like the case of the pointer recording mode, if the user firstsupplies a registration instruction of index image via the key-insection 49, the MPU in the microcomputer block 30 determines that theregistration trigger is present as shown in the step S201 and issues aregistration trigger to the encoder section 50. The registration triggerfrom the MPU may be generated, for example, once each time the userinputs a registration instruction or the MPU may automatically generatethe registration trigger at the time of recording start/termination withrespect to the optical disk 10 or at the time of change of scenes ofvideo or audio. It is preferable that the user can specify the aboveselection via the key-in section 49.

[0152] Next, if it is determined in the step S201 that the registrationtrigger is present, the MPU in the microcomputer block 30 detects thephysical sector number M (head sector address of the I picture) which isnow being recorded on the optical disk 10 via the disk drive 32 and dataprocessor 36 and stores the same in the RAM (step S202) and starts theindex image creating section 58 to create an I picture to be registeredas the index image (step S203). Then, the index image data thus createdis formed into a packet form together with the present PGC number andstored into the index image buffer memory 59.

[0153] Next, the MPU in the microcomputer block 30 determines whetherthe recording operation is terminated or not according to theinstruction from the key-in section 49 or via the disk drive 32 and dataprocessor 36 (step S205). If the recording operation is not terminated,the process is returned to the step S201.

[0154] If it is detected in the steep S205 that the recording operationis terminated, a logical address of the picture address table shown inFIG. 20 is acquired from the volume & file management area 70 which ispreviously read out on the optical disk 10 (step S206). Then, thecontents of the picture address, more specifically, the PGC number N,the head sector address of the index image actually recorded, the headsector address of the I picture and the like are added and updated (stepS207).

[0155] Then, the MPU in the microcomputer block 30 reads out the indeximage data which is created by the index image creation section 58 inthe step S203 and stored into the index image buffer memory 59 in thepacket form and forms the readout index image data into a pack form.Then, the MPU records the index image data set into the pack form in anarea (area in the picture object 84) on the optical disk 10 which isdefined by the contents of the picture address table in the steps S206,S207 via the data processor 36 and disk drive 32 (step S208).

[0156] Then, whether or not all of the index image data stored in theindex image buffer memory 59 is read out is determined (S209). If indeximage data is left behind in the index image buffer 59, the PGC number Nof the next index image is specified and the process of the steps S207,S208 is repeatedly effected. If all of the index image data is read out,an image having the playback control information 102 and volume & filemanagement area 70 recorded therein as shown in FIG. 3 is sequentiallyupdated (steps S211, S212) and the process is terminated.

[0157] Next, the format of the user menu file on the optical disk 10associated with the index image is explained. The user menu file is afile name of the reduced drawing control information 108 (the reduceddrawing control information is hereinafter referred to as a user menufile) shown in FIG. 3. The format of the user menu file can conceptuallytake a construction as shown in 20 and is specifically constructed asshown in FIGS. 21 and 22.

[0158] First, as indicated from the top to the bottom in FIG. 20, datain the user menu file 108 is described in the order of a first anchorpointer, picture address table, index image data group, backup of thepicture address table and second anchor pointer.

[0159] A pointer address called the first anchor pointer (a, p, b, q) isfirst set in the user menu file, and “a” and “p” are a start address andend address of the picture address table and “b”, and “q” are a startaddress and end address of backup data of the picture address table.

[0160] Next to the first anchor pointer, the picture address table isrecorded. Menu index information (INFO1) is recorded in the firstposition of the picture address table. The menu index informationcontains the number of index pictures, the number of informationpictures, the number of defective areas and the number of wall paperpicture registering sheets. Among them, the number of informationpictures indicates the number of registered sheets of index imagesrecorded in the pointer recording mode (the image is called aninformation picture). The number of index pictures is equal to the totalsum of the number of index images recorded in the index image recordingmode and the number of information pictures.

[0161] The “correlation table between PGC and index image recordingposition” set after the menu index information is actual data relatingto each index image constructing the user menu file and the PGC number(PGCN) of the index image, PTS (the playback timing of the I picture asthe index image), the head address (c) of the index image, the number ofuse sectors of the index image including the dummy area, the size onlyof the index image, the head address (pointer) of the I picture as theindex image, text data used for searching and entitling, the headaddress and data length of a defective area if the defective area ispresent in the file, the number of wall paper picture registering sheetsof the user menu and the head address (s) thereof and the like arerecorded in this portion. The total data amount of the picture addresstable is aligned with 32 kbytes (32k×N bytes) as will be describedlater.

[0162] After the picture address table, an actual index image data groupcreated in the index image data creation section 58 shown in FIG. 15 isrecorded. Further, after the correlation table, the backup of thepicture address table is recorded. The backup is recorded for insuranceagainst breakage of the picture address table. The index image data andbackup are formed in a pack form and are actually recorded in thepicture object 84 shown in FIG. 3. The index image and backup are alsoaligned with 32 kbytes as will be described later.

[0163] In the last position of the user menu file, a second anchorpointer (a, p, b, q) which is the same as the first anchor in the headposition of the user menu file is described. The reason for thisarrangement is that the file is normally destroyed from the headmanagement area to which access is frequently made. By setting theanchor pointer in the last position of the file, the safety is furtherenhanced.

[0164] The user menu file of FIG. 20 has the following features.

[0165] (1) At least one menu selection index image data (that is, indeximage data) which expresses a still image of at lest part of video datais recorded in the same user menu file.

[0166] (2) All of the index image data items recorded on the opticaldisk 10 (DVD-RAM disk, DVD-RW disk or DVD-R disk) are collectivelymanaged (a video signal corresponding to the recording position isspecified) by use of the picture address table.

[0167] More specifically, information shown in FIGS. 21, 22, forexample, is written into the user menu file of FIG. 20. That is, asshown in FIGS. 21, 22, as the first anchor pointer for the pictureaddress table, the start position of the picture address table, the endposition of the picture address table, the start position of a sparepicture address table and the end position of the spare picture addresstable are described. As the picture address table (corresponding to 108Bof FIG. 3), menu index information (INFO1), a plurality of index pictureinformation items (INFO2), defective area information (INF04), wallpaper picture information (INF05) and padding data are described. As thesecond anchor pointer for the picture address table, the start positionof the picture address table, the end position of the picture addresstable, the start position of the backup of the picture address table andthe end position of the backup of the picture address table aredescribed. In the picture address table shown in FIGS. 21, 22, theinformation picture information INF03 shown in FIG. 3 may be adequatelydescribed.

[0168] Menu index information of FIG. 21 contains the number of indexpictures, the number of information pictures, the number of defectiveareas and the number of wall paper pictures. Index picture informationcontains the contents characteristic, ID of the index picture programchain, the time code of the index picture, the start position of theindex picture, the number of sectors used for recording the indexpicture, the picture size, and the address and searching text data ofthe index picture (I picture).

[0169] As the time code of the index picture, PTS of the head sector ofthe I picture is described. However, it is possible to describe thenumber of fields and the number of pictures (the number of fields×2) asthe time code. Further, a picture which can be specified as the indexpicture is not limited to the I picture, but it is possible to specifythe P picture or B picture (that is, specify-the field number) to derivethe I picture as will be described in another embodiment.

[0170] In the contents characteristic contained in the index pictureinformation, “1” is described if the index image used in the user menuis already recorded and “0” is described if only the recording position(address) of the index image is recorded.

[0171] The index picture information in a case where a user menu imageis specified only by use of an address contains the contentscharacteristic in which “0” is described as shown in FIG. 22, ID of theinformation picture program chain PGC, the time code in the PGCcorresponding to the information picture, and an address of the PGCcorresponding to the information picture.

[0172] The wall paper picture information of FIG. 22 contains the numberof wall paper pictures which can be used as the wall paper picture ofthe user menu (the number of a registered wall paper picture), the startposition of the wall paper picture, and the number of sectors used in anarea in which the wall paper picture is recorded and the padding data ofFIG. 22 contains the contents of the index picture, the contents of thedefective area and the contents of the wall paper picture.

[0173] Next, the “32-kbyte aligning process” is explained.

[0174] The internal portion-of the user menu file shown in FIGS. 20 to22 is divided for every 32 kbytes corresponding to a unit of errorcorrection code (ECC block) irrespective of the already recorded areaand non-recorded area and the position of the “ECC boundary” which isthe boundary portion thereof is previously determined.

[0175] When the index image data, anchor pointer, picture address tableand backup of the picture address table are recorded, the recordingstart position and the recording end position of all of the data itemsare recorded to coincide with the “ECC boundary” positions.

[0176] If the data amount is slightly smaller than an integral number of32 kbytes, a “dummy area” is added as shown in FIG. 20 so as to make therecording end position coincident with the “ECC boundary” position. The“dummy area” indicates the “padding” area in FIG. 21.

[0177] At the time of recording/erasing of index image data, therecording/erasing operation of information is effected for each “ECCboundary”. In this case, since it is not necessary to change part ofinformation in the ECC block, reduced data can be directly overwrittenin alignment with the ECC boundary at the recording time.

[0178] If the “32-kbyte aligning process” described above is effected,the operation speed of the recording/erasing operation in the unit ofECC block can be enhanced since it becomes unnecessary to correct errorcorrection information which is added to record/erase the index imagedata in the unit of ECC block.

[0179] The user menu file of FIG. 20 is designed by considering thetransportation to another type of recording medium by use of a personalcomputer or the like. Therefore, the storage addresses of the indeximage, wall paper picture and picture address table of the user menu areexpressed by difference addresses (relative addresses) from the headposition of the user menu file.

[0180] In the “correlation table between PGC and index image recordingposition” in the picture address table of FIG. 20, two lines from thePGC number to the searching text data size express one set ofcorrespondence tables. In this case, the relation between the recordedindex image data and the video signal can be understood based on thecorrespondence relation between the time code (PTS) of the video signaland the head address. Further, by searching the whole correlation table,the non-recorded area in the user menu file or the free area obtained byerasing index image data can be detected and new index image data can berecorded in the area.

[0181] In the user menu file of FIG. 20, a defective area is managed. Aspecific processing method effected in a case where the picture addresstable is damaged by dusts or scratches attached to the surface of thedisk (recording medium) 10 is explained.

[0182] First, the damage of the picture address table due to the dust orscratch on the surface of the disk (recording medium) is detected(whether it is damaged or not can be determined according to whether theerror correction of the ECC block fails or not).

[0183] When the damage is detected, anchor pointer information is readout, the backup data address of the picture address table is checked andthe backup data of the picture address table is read out.

[0184] Next, the non-recorded area in the user menu file is searched forby use of the correlation table between the index image recordingpositions of FIG. 20. Then, index image management data is recorded inthe non-recorded area in the user menu file and the address informationof the anchor pointer is updated.

[0185] Then, the location in which the picture address table is damagedby the dust or scratch on the surface of the disk (recording medium) isregistered as a defective area in the correlation table between theindex image recording positions of FIG. 20.

[0186] If the user menu file format of FIGS. 20 to 22 is used, thefollowing effect can be expected.

[0187] (a) The index image data can be added/searched and the accessspeed can be enhanced by effecting the “32-kbyte aligning process”.

[0188] (b) When a plurality of index images are simultaneously displayedon the display section of a monitor display (not shown), it becomesnecessary to access a corresponding index image data position on therecording medium for each reduced image screen. If index position dataitems are randomly arranged (scattered) on the recording medium, ittakes a long time to access and time required for displaying theplurality of index images becomes long. However, as shown in FIG. 20, ifthe plurality of index manage data items are collectively arranged inthe same user menu file, the plurality of index images can be displayedat high speed simply by playing back the user menu file.

[0189] (c) By collectively managing the whole index image data by use ofthe picture address table, the management of the process for deleting oradding the index image data becomes easier. That is, the searchingoperation for the non-recorded area (or the index image data deletingarea) in the user menu file becomes easier and additional registrationof new index image data can be effected at high speed.

[0190] (d) In the DVD video recorder shown in FIG. 15, data is collectedfor every 16 packs (=32 kbytes) to make an ECC block in the dataprocessor 36 and the ECC block is recorded on the optical disk (DVD-RAM,DVD-RW or DVD-R) 10 after error correction information is attachedthereto. Therefore, if part of information in the ECC block is changed,it is necessary to correct the attached error correction information,the process becomes troublesome and it takes a long time to effect theinformation changing process. However, by effecting the “32-kbytealigning process”, correction of the error correction informationattached when the index image data is erased in the unit of ECC block ismade unnecessary and the user menu data can be erased at high speed.

[0191] (e) The high reliability of the anchor pointer, picture addresstable and backup data of the picture address table can be securelyattained by the following method.

[0192] Secure attainment of the reliability of the picture address table

[0193] A backup area of the picture address table is provided to makeready for a case wherein the picture address table becomes defective andif the defect occurs, the recording location can be moved.

[0194] Secure attainment of the reliability of the anchor pointerinformation indicating the recording location of the picture addresstable

[0195] The anchor pointer information is independently constructed in anECC block to suppress the data changing times and the same informationis recorded in two locations (first and second anchor pointers in FIG.20).

[0196] Defect management process

[0197] In a case where information playback from the picture addresstable or anchor pointer becomes impossible due to the dust or scratch onthe surface of the optical disk (recording medium), data is read outfrom the backup section and recorded in another recording positionagain. As a result, it is prevented that the defective area isregistered and the defective area is erroneously used again.

[0198] A closed caption or multiplexed character is superposed on theoriginal image in the index image data used for the user menu in somecases. In such a case, the index image may be constructed after thecharacter is multiplexed. Further, it is considered that the index imagemay be constructed only by use of character data.

[0199]FIG. 23 shows a concrete display example of the menu screenobtained by use of the index image registered on the optical disk 10 inthis embodiment. In this example, an image of a map of the entire areaof Africa as an image 1, images of maps of discrete countries as images2, 3 are displayed in the form of a list. The menu screen is displayedby depressing a menu key in the key-in section 49. The user selects animage of a desired number in the screen so as to search for the positionon the optical disk 10 on which the selected image is recorded and editthe same. Further, by displaying the time code from the head pointtogether with the images 1, 2, . . . as shown in FIG. 23, a period oftime from the playback start time in which the image is displayed can bederived from the recorded image.

[0200] Next, another embodiment of this invention is explained. In thisembodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, a plurality of cells 94 are collectedto construct groups of programs (PG) 201 and the playback image iscontrolled in the unit of program. The position of the index image isspecified by the cell number in the program and the display time (thenumber of fields) of the index image to be registered.

[0201] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, program playbackinformation 202 is inserted between PGC general information 128 and cellplayback information 130 in the format shown in FIG. 8. The contents ofthe program playback information 202 include program type information204, the number 206 of cells contained in the program, text information208 and index image position information 210 and the position of theindex image is specified by the cell number and the display time thereof(the number of fields) as shown in FIG. 26.

[0202]FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the procedure for registering thedisplay time on the optical disk. First, the MPU in the microcomputerblock 30 determines whether or not the registration trigger is presentas shown in the step S301. If the registration trigger is present, theMPU detects and holds the display time of the picture which is now beingrecorded on the optical disk 10, that is, the number F of fields in theprogram (PG) which is now being recorded (step S302). Then, the MPUdetects and holds the cell number which is now to be defined (stepS303).

[0203] Whether or not the recording operation is terminated isdetermined in the step S304 and if it is not terminated, the step S302is effected again. If it is determined in the step S304 that therecording operation is terminated, the MPU in the microcomputer block 30registers the cell number N and field number F held in the steps S303and 302 into the cell number 212 and index image display time of theprogram playback information 202 of FIG. 25.

[0204] If other pointers (cell number and field number) are further held(step 306), the step S305 is effected again and all of the pointers heldare registered into the index image position information 210 of theoptical disk.

[0205] In the former embodiment, the index image is used to specify thehead address of the I picture, but this embodiment is not limited tothis case and it is possible to specify the B picture or P picture.

[0206]FIG. 28 shows the relation between VOBU and the field in MPEG. Anarea from an I picture to a next I picture is collected as VOBU. Thenumber of pictures in one second is determined to be 30 in the NTSCsystem. Since one picture corresponds to two fields, 60 fields aredisplayed in one second. In this example, an area from an I picture to anext I picture is defined as one GOP. However, one VOBU is not limitedto one GOP and may include a plurality of GOPs in some cases.

[0207] A time map table 111 as shown in FIG. 29 is recorded in theplayback control information 102 of FIG. 6 to indicate the relationbetween the display time of each picture and the recording address onthe optical disk for each VOBU. If the playback time (field) of eachpicture is specified, the position address on the optical disk on whichit is recorded can be calculated.

[0208]FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the calculation procedure. First,the MPU in the microcomputer block 30 reads out the specified fieldnumber from the index image display time of the program playbackinformation 202 of FIG. 25 (step S401). Then, the number of the field issequentially added starting from the first VOBU of the time map table111 of FIG. 29 to derive the VOBU number which contains the specifiedfield number (step S402).

[0209] Next, the head address of VOBU which contains the specified fieldnumber is calculated from the time map table 111. As shown in FIG. 28,since data of the I picture is recorded in the head address of VOBU, theMPU in the microcomputer block 30 accesses the head address of VOBU anddisplays the I picture as the index image (step S404).

[0210] In the above embodiments, registration of the index image isexplained, but this invention can also be similarly applied to a casewherein specified audio data is registered.

[0211] Further, this invention is not limited to the recording/playbackapparatus, but can be applied to a playback apparatus, that is,playback-only apparatus having no recording function.

[0212] As described above, according to this invention, the user caninstantly detect the recording information on the recording medium byrecording position information (pointer) indicating the recordingposition of an image selected from the main record data on the recordingmedium or recording an image selected from the main record data as theindex image, and utilizing information of an image and voice recorded inthe recording position indicated by the position information or theindex image as a menu at the time of playback. Therefore, the user canrapidly search for a desired position based on the menu and efficientlyeffect the editing operation such as the operation for erasing andreplacing information in a desired area on the recording medium. C

1. A recording/playback apparatus for recording and playing back mainrecord data containing information of at least one of an image and voiceby use of a recordable/playable recording medium, characterized bycomprising: trigger supplying means for supplying a trigger forregistering an index image; position information acquiring means foracquiring recording position information of an image which is now beingrecorded on said recording medium in response to a trigger supplied fromsaid trigger supplying means; and position recording means for recordingthe recording position information acquired by said position informationacquiring means on said recording medium at the time of termination ofthe image recording.
 2. A recording/playback apparatus according toclaim 1, characterized in that said position information acquiring meansincludes detection means for detecting the start of I picture creation,first holding means for detecting and holding a sector number which isnow being recorded on said recording medium in response to detection bysaid detection means, and second holding means for detecting and holdinga cell number which is now to be defined, and said position recordingmeans includes means for recording the sector number and cell numberheld by said first and second holding means in an index informationrecording area on said recording medium.
 3. A recording/playbackapparatus for recording and playing back main record data containinginformation of at least one of an image and voice by use of arecordable/playable recording medium, characterized by comprising:trigger supplying means for supplying a trigger for registering an indeximage; position information acquiring means for acquiring recordingposition information of an image which is now being recorded on saidrecording medium in response to a trigger supplied from said triggersupplying means; creation means for creating index image data inresponse to a trigger supplied from said trigger supplying means; andindex image recording means for recording the recording positioninformation acquired by said position information acquiring means andthe index image data created by said creation means on said recordingmedium at the time of termination of the image recording.
 4. Arecording/playback apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in thatsaid position information acquiring means includes means for detectingand holding a physical sector number which is now being recorded andsaid index image recording means records the physical sector numberacquired by said position information acquiring means and index imagedata in an area for managing the index image on said recording medium.5. A recording/playback apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,characterized in that said trigger supplying means supplies the triggerwhen recording of the main record data on said recording medium isstarted.
 6. A recording/playback apparatus according to any one ofclaims 1 to 4, characterized in that said trigger supplying meanssupplies the trigger in response to a trigger from the user when themain record data is recorded on said recording medium.
 7. Arecording/playback apparatus for recording and playing back main recorddata containing information of at least one of an image and voice by useof a recordable/playable recording medium, characterized by comprising:trigger supplying means for supplying a trigger for registering an indeximage; time information acquiring means for acquiring display timeinformation of an image which is now being recorded in response to atrigger supplied from said trigger supplying means; and time informationrecording means for recording the display time information acquired bysaid time information acquiring means on said recording medium at thetime of termination of the image recording.
 8. A recording/playbackapparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that said timeinformation acquiring means acquires the number of fields from a presettime point of the image which is now being recorded as the timeinformation.
 9. A recording/playback apparatus according to claim 7,characterized in that the image to be recorded is processed in the unitof program and said time information acquiring means acquires the numberof fields from a starting point of the program which is now to bedefined as the time information.
 10. A recordable/playable recordingmedium on which main record data containing information of at least oneof an image and voice is recorded, characterized by comprising: an indexinformation area for recording record position information of an imageselected from the main record data; and an index image recording areafor recording image data of an image selected from the main record dataas an index image.
 11. A recording medium according to claim 10,characterized in that said index information area has a backup of saidindex information area and an anchor point containing start and endaddresses of said index information area and start and end addresses ofsaid backup.
 12. A recording medium according to claim 11, characterizedin that the anchor pointers of the same type are provided before andafter said index information area.
 13. A recording medium according toclaim 10, characterized in that said index information area isconstructed by a plurality of files and an amount of data used of eachindex image and each file is an integer multiple of an error correctioncode block capacity.